Analysis of The Fable of the Nine Muses in light of The ten

1. The first tenet speaks of “Timeless significance”. This pertains to “what is constant in human nature” (C.K. 103). The Fable of the Nine Muses by Fulgentius is partly of timeless significance. First he explains how sound is produces within the body, then he talks about the nine muses as ideas in the learning process. Although he speaks of Greek gods, who today are not widely believed, he does make a point in speaking of our process of learning. On the other hand he states that “speech is produced with the four teeth”(C.K. 47) this would have to be supported with some newly scientific explanation, as to how speech is actually believed to be produced. Furthermore, it is not clear whether the muses themselves represent ideas ex. “Clio, standing for the first conception of learning” (C.K. 47), or are they believed to take some physical form in Greek mythology because they have names. In my opinion, the distinction is not made clear enough

4. The fourth tenet states that “human nature is essentially unchanging” (C.K. 103). Meaning that through time, literature should encompass essentially the same emotions and situations. Fulgentius, describes the nine muses as being parts of the learning process and search for knowledge. The idea of writing about the learning process might not be unchanging throughout history, and further research would be necessary. As well probably not many works would personify the search for knowledge. We would need to find today’s eqivalent of Clio, Euterpe, Melpomene, Thalia, Polyhymnia, Erato, Terpsichore, Urania, Calliope and Apollo.

3. The third tenet is looking at the text in isolation. In order to understand the text, one must study it in isolation or without context. The explanation of the muses can be taken out of Greek context, however the names themselves would be tough to do. This work also mentions goddesses and Homer. It would be tough for the reader not to be put in context, simply because the notion of goddesses existing is not widely accepted these days.

5. The fifth tenet is all about individuality. Fulgentius’ writing is unclear if it is individual, as these ideas may have been believed and accepted by more people in his society. The idea of the nine muses, each one for a different part of the learning experience. It is not sure if this was taught in school or is this only his individual thought. It is a question of skilful research to find similar work of this kind.

7. Form and content is the subject of the seventh tenet. Is Fulgentuis’ work flowery, descriptive writing or is it not. Let’s analyse. The closest he ever comes to this is when he says “two lips like cymbals” (C.K. 47). The rest of his work is descriptive however he does not use any clichés or any type of flowery writing.

2. The second tenet speaks of the need of not placing the piece in one of three contexts (socio-political, l

Some topics in this essay:
Calliope Apollo, Muses Tenet, Nine Muses, Muses Fulgentius, Barry Keeping, nine muses, , ck 47, learning process, muses learning, fulgentius’ writing, search knowledge, Fable Nine, nine muses learning, simply summarizing, humanistic approach, tenet speaks, liberal humanistic, fable nine muses, liberal humanistic approach,